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Charles Askin (1785-1869) served the British army in the War of
1812. He was the son of John Askin, a leading Detroit area business man.
John Askin's home was on the Canadian side of the border, but Charles
Askin had a sister on the American side in Detroit. After the war
Charles Askin returned to his father's estate near Windsor.

Thursday 13 Left Point au Pele before day and arrived at
Amherstburgh abt 8 O'clock in the night. We were saluted by a Number of
Indians encamped near Capt Elliotts. Heard on our way up at a house we
stop'd at to day, that the Americans had left Sandwich and returned to
Detroit.

Saturday afternoon 15th Augt, 1812 the American
Garrison was summoned to surrender by General Brock but refused. As soon
as their answer came down to Gen. B. the artillery Officer went up to
the battery opposite Detroit and [we] soon heard the firing commence
which continued for a couple of hours. The party of the 41st
which came up with us were called out, and 9 more of the Regt joined us
we were then I think just 56 men including Mr. Hamilton Mr Wilkinson
& Myself. We were in two divisions the first commanded by McLean and
the 2d to which we belonged by Sergeant Blaney. Some Militia joined us
and Major Chambers form[ed us] into open Column & then into line
several times. Every one, and every thing allmost, was at this time in
motion, people galloping in every direction. We were ordered to be in
readiness at 4 Oclock next morning for marching. As soon as we were
dismissed the Officers of Militia and most of us were very bussy in
preparing every thing for action, pistols sword &c. Long before day
we were up on Sunday 16th then fell in with the York Militia. Major Chambers commanded the 2d Brigade - strong, composed of 150 of the 41st
including 3 Vols Mr. Hatt's company Militia the Norfolk & Oxford
Militia - Major Tallen commanded the 3d Brigade in which there was
nothing, but the 41st & the 1st Brigade
commanded by Col. St George consisted of the Essex Militiamen & some
Newfoundland Corps The 2d Brigade was halted a short wait at Sandwich
then marched down near to Parks Mill, where we embarked. When marching
down we saw the 3d Brigade and the General and his staff crossing the
River just below the Springwell I think it was the handsomest sight I
ever saw. The Indians were allready over they just crossed before us.
When we landed we formed in open collumn in the rear of the 3d Brigade. A
company of Riflemen fromYork (we all got over without any opposition)
went over with us, but did not belong to our Brigade they wer most all
painted as Indians. We were some time halted here, then marched up the
road. I was much pleased to observe how unconcerned Most of the men were
both Militia and Regulars the first house we passed we observed the
Indians had broke into and were plundering. We found them also running
after horses in every direction we marched Quick time but had frequently
to halt. The Can[?] Brigade passed us on the Road I think there was
about five or six Guns - and [illegible] I believe in front. I saw a
number of inhabitants many of whom knew me and seemed happy to see me.
We got at last to Mr. Henry's about a Mile and a half from Detroit and
there halted. From this place sent a flag of truce to the Garrison
desiring them a 2d time to surrender it was a long time before we had an
answer therefore was kept a long time in suspense many were wishing
them not to capitulate these were young Officers who were anxious to
have an oppy of distinguishing themselves: but most of us wished I
believe they should to spare the effusion of blood and for the sake of
the poor Women & Children who we knew would not be spared by the
Indians should an action once commence. Fortunately for us as it will
appear afterwards the Americans after some time capitulated and
surrendered themselves prisoners of War. I forgot before to mention that
while we were marching up a constant firing was kept up from Our
Battery at Mr. Babys and from the American fort. The American guns were
24 pounders. While we staid at Mr. Henry's two prisoners were brought
in, one by an Indian and another by one of the Rifle Company. During our
stay here a good many of the Canadian Militia belonging to Col. St
George's Brigade joined us. Mr. Wm Forsyth was living near Mr. Henry's. I
never saw a person more happy than he as to see us he was so overjoyed
that he could hardly speak. I have been told since that there were 32 ps
of cannon in all and about 2900 Stand of arms. There were a great many
Waggons &c. The numbers I do not know. We marched up to the Garrison
the gun Brigade in front I believe there was - six pounders & the
Ammunition Carts.[?] We marched into the town and from that up into Fort
Lernow: but there were so many American Troops in it, that we could not
all get in. I believe our marching in was improper, and that it was
done by mistake, for we were but a few minutes there before we were
ordered to march out. I really think there was while we were in the
Garrison two Americans for one of us and they had still their Arms. We
formed on the West side of the Fort in line, untill all the Americans
had marched out, but I was so situated that I could not see them coming
out. They did not march with the honors of War though I am told they
were allowed to do it by the Capitulation but the Officers of the Am.
Army were so mortified that they had to surrender without fighting that
they were indifferent about it or anything else then. The American
colours were flying nearly an hour after we first marched into the
Garrison. After the Americans had all marched out, the Grenadiers &
Light Infantry of the 41st Regt, and the Volunteers in that
Regt, that is Mr George Hamilton Wilkinson & myself And Jno
Richardson; commanded by Mr. Bullock of the Grendadiers, marched into
the Fort, with Drum & fife, to the Tune of the British Grenadiers. I
must say that I never felt so proud, as I did just then. As soon as we
were in the Fort, the American Colours were taken down and ours hoisted.
Three cheers were given as they were hoisted by the Militia and others
outside the Fort & the Indians when the Salute with the Cannon was
given gave an Indian yell every shot we the Volunteers remained with our
Guard until the Colours of the 4th A. Regt were brought by
part of our Guard After which we got leave to go where we wished and Mr
Hamilton went to see Mr Brush, where we dined Two prisoners were taken
in the Woods today while we were at Mr Henry's, one by an Indian and
another by a rifleman.

There were abut 2300 prisoners surrendered, besides the
Militia of the Michigan Territory, who gave up their arms that day, with
the others. These were 3 or 4 hund[red] strong. Most of the American
army were composed of Militia from the State of Ohio, who had
volunteered their Services for a year, some were cavalry regt One
company, great number Riflemen, and some infantry there were of Regular
troops, --- of Artillery ----of the lst Regt and about 3 hund of the 4th
Regt. This last Regt are highly spoken of by the Americans. Indeed from
the manner they speak of them you would suppose them to be Invincibles.
The whole of their army were ill dressed, and few of them appeared
healthy or well, indeed they seemed to me the poorest looking sett of
men I have seen for a long time. Their situation and dress may probably
have made them appear so ill to me. Seven hundred Rifles were taken and a
great many Muskets nearly 300 stand, & 32 ps Cannon of all
descriptions, a great number of Waggons, horses, &c.

Monday 17th Remained at Detroit but did no duty.
Saw the American prisoners embarking, many of whom were unwell with
fever & some wounded. Poor fellows I fear few of them will ever get
home. All the Vessels from Amherstburgh I believe & those taken at
Detroit were taking in prisoners; but there were not a sufficient number
to take them all, and those who were on board were very much crouded.
By the Capitulation, as I understood, the Regular Troops were to be kept
as prisoners of War and the Militia Regts were to be sent to Cleveland
or Sandusky, from whence they were to return home and no[t] serve
against the English ag[ain in] this War. Of the Regulars I supp[ose]
there is not more than 400. These I suppose will be sent to Quebec.

Tuesday 18th I crossed the River, we[nt] up to my
Father's dined there and then went down to Amherstburgh to see Major
Chambers with whom [I] had volunteered to go to River Raizin & Foot
of the Rapids. In the Even[ing] I saw General Brock and his Aidecamp
Col. McDonnell At Amherstburgh Mr Hamilton was down there also; but as
he had embarked and I could not conveniently get on board I did not see
him. For want of boats or something else, we could not get off this
evening for River Raizin. I saw Major Salmon & young Mr Rolph Mr R.
had bought a horse for 5 dolls some were sold for two dolls I understood
from the Indians, who took about three hundred on the Day of the
Surrender and the day following, on the American Side. They plundered
Knagg's house and a few other houses and took a great deal from them.

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